(iv) “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of an Adverse Event, in each case, after the Change in Control Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Adverse Event shall not be deemed to constitute Good Reason unless (x) the Participant gives Strategy or the Acquiring Corporation, as applicable, notice of termination of employment or other relationship as an Eligible Participant no more than 90 days after the initial occurrence of the Adverse Event, (y) such Adverse Event has not been fully corrected and the Participant has not been reasonably compensated for any losses or damages resulting therefrom within 30 days of Strategy’s or the Acquiring Corporation’s receipt of such notice and (z) the Participant’s termination of employment or other relationship as an Eligible Participant occurs within six (6) months following Strategy’s or the Acquiring Corporation’s receipt of such notice.
(b) Effect on Option. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10(b) of the Plan or Section 2 above, in the event of a Change in Control Event:
(i) If the Change in Control Event also constitutes a Reorganization Event (as defined in the Plan) and this option is not assumed, or a substantially equivalent option substituted, by the Acquiring Corporation, this option shall automatically become exercisable in full immediately prior to such Change in Control Event; and
(ii) If either the Change in Control Event is also a Reorganization Event and the option is assumed or a substantially equivalent option substituted or the Change in Control Event is not a Reorganization Event, then in either such case this option shall continue to vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule set forth in Section 2 above; provided, however, that this option shall be immediately exercisable in full if, on or prior to the first anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the Participant’s employment or other relationship as an Eligible Participant with the Company or the Acquiring Corporation is terminated for Good Reason by the Participant or is terminated without Cause by the Company or the Acquiring Corporation.
4. Exercise of Option.
(a) Form of Exercise. Each election to exercise this option shall be in writing, signed by the Participant (which election and signature may be electronic, to the extent provided by the Company), and received by Strategy at its principal office, accompanied by this Agreement, and payment in full in the manner provided in the Plan. The Participant is only permitted to use the methods of payment in Sections 5(f)(i) and 5(f)(ii) of the Plan and, to the extent approved by the Board, any other lawful consideration permitted under the Plan as the Board may determine, including by combination of any of the foregoing permitted forms of payment. The Participant may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby; provided, however, no partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share.
(b) Continuous Relationship with the Company Required. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, this option may not be exercised unless the Participant, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at all times since the Grant Date, an Eligible Participant.
(c) Termination of Relationship with the Company. If the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason, then, except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the right to exercise this option shall terminate three months after such cessation (but in no event after the Final Exercise Date); provided, however, this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, violates the non-competition or confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and with any Specified Company, the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon such violation.
(d) Vesting and Exercise Upon Death or Disability. If the Participant dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) prior to the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and no Specified Company has terminated such relationship for “Cause” as specified in paragraph (e) below, then (i) solely in connection with the death of the Participant, this option shall become vested and exercisable in full immediately and (ii) in connection with either the Participant’s death or becoming disabled, this option shall be exercisable, within the period of one year following the date of death or disability of the Participant, by the Participant (or in the case of death by an authorized transferee); provided, that this option shall not be exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.